Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna on Monday declared a new stoppage of Solapur Express in Hassan district at a southwestern railway event atChannarayapatna railway station.The MoS, who represents Tumakuru in the Lok Sabha, said the train service from Hassan was a long pending demand of locals. The stoppage would enable a historic connection to Channarayapatna, the gateway to Shravanabelagola, he said.The Hassan railway station has been upgraded at a cost of Rs 32 crore under Amrut Bharat Yojana, and Arsikere station at a cost of Rs 22 crore. Sakleshpur station is also being upgraded. This is not the only train (Solapur Express). More trains will be operated on this route, Somanna said at the event.— VSOMANNA_BJP (@VSOMANNA_BJP) Prime Minister Modi has sanctioned railway projects worth Rs 2.94 lakh crore for the development of the nation, he said, while acknowledging the contribution of former PM HD Deve Gowda to the Hassan region.The railway ministry has eliminated about 13,800 level crossing gates across the country in the last 10 years by constructing underpasses or over bridges. Out of the 707 level crossings in Karnataka, works are in progress at more than 400 places.Around 37 trains, which were suspended during Covid-19 lockdown period, have resumed operation. The trains with 12 to 14 coaches have been upgraded to 21 coaches and are operated at a speed of 110 to 130-kms, Somanna said.He also participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Road Under Bridge (RUB) at Kallipalya Gate in Gubbi. The project will further enhance safety, connectivity, and transportation convenience for the public, the MoS said.